The Nice Bloke

by Cookson C

Harry Blenheim wasnâ t what you might call a good-looking fellow, but his face was full of character, with the kindest eyes God ever made. Thatâ s what his wife Esther had said, back in the days when theyâ d loved and laughed together. Now, it was five years since they had even kissed goodnight.

Still, everyone in Fellburn respected Harry, even if there was no love lost between him and his hard-headed father-in-law. No one was more surprised than Harry that he should let himself become involved in a fling with an office girl. He knew it was a warning sign, that the cracks were beginning to show, but worse was to come. Nice bloke that he was, nothing could have prepared Harry Blenheim for the scandal that shook his life with all the force of an earthquake.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Kerdel Ellick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book. Everyone got what they deserved. But john Blenheim. That fellow should have been jailed.

[Prasanna Dommu · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's definitely a nice read but the ending seems so anti climactic. There are many questions left unaswered. Did Harry ever confront Esther? How did Terry take the news of his sister at the end? What happened to Dave Rippon and Betty Ray? More importantly, what about John? it's not like he has been reformed. What is to stop him from further attacking Robbie? I would have liked a tidier ending (and probably a little more character development).

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn what happens when "the nice bloke", who is basically the one person who blends into the background and you would never expect to step out of bounds, gets caught up in something scandalous. A delightful read.

[Tom Calvard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book by Catherine Cookson I'd ever read - but based on it, I would consider reading another.

I'm not sure about her many other books, of course, but it seems a shame she is generally marketed as 'women's popular fiction', as this novel struck me as being of far more general interest.

I was drawn to the title and jacket summary in terms of a local 'nice bloke' who gets in over his head due to a series of life's tensions, mishaps and mistakes crowding in on him.

It's true that in a few places, not least towards the end, the book verges on sentimental soap opera melodrama. However, there are a lot of other characters and themes woven into the different parts of the book. I thought it was an interesting mid-20th century view into issues of class, gender and ethnicity. Adultery, antisemitism and divorce loom over the characters' conflicts and betrayals.

Cookson has a great ear for local English dialogue and neighbourhood, family and community relationships, as well as frustrated ambitions and confused emotions. She layers on the drama and resolutions with a careful, restrained style and something of a timeless charm.

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a little different from her usual novels, another good story from Catherine Cookson. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though some of the characters didn't get their just rewards. It leaves the reader wondering what happened to them and if there were any other future repercussions.

[Paula R C R. C. Readman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Date but an interesting read.

[TheWeatherWitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. it's an easy read and I loved how Harry really gave justice to the title. enjoyable book.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good book by this great author.

Back Cover Blurb:
Harry Blenheim had always been known as the nice bloke, an inoffensive man whose existance was as dull as dishwater. Then, at the office Christmas party, he gave in to the demands of the vivacious Betty Ray and the scandal that followed not only split his family but ruined his career.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary at the time of writing set in the 1960s. Another good read from Catherine Cookson telling the story of Harry Blenheim, his family and his Jewish friend and her son and how in his loneliness he makes one mistake that leads him to be imprisoned for something he did not do and how he re-adjusts to life after his prison sentence.
Synopsis:

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

the guy was a nice bloke.

[Kathie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I happened upon it in the library of the Liberty of the Seas cruise ship. It took right off from the first pages. What a rare treat!

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Catherine Cookson book with lots of emotional moments. As always, she has a full range of characters--ordinary, strong, cruel, weak, domineering and more.

[Alison Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Catherine Cookson's books....................This one is very good, catches you from the start.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the usual Cookson, very enjoyable